Rangers suffer KO in Kaunas

FBK Kaunas have made the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round for the first time after a late Linas Pilibaitis goal gave them a famous 2-1 win over last season's UEFA Cup finalists, Rangers FC.

Famous victory
After a goalless first leg in Glasgow, the Lithuanian champions had given themselves a good chance of progression, and although Kevin Thomson's first-half strike gave Rangers the lead, Nerijus Radzius equalised just before the break and Pilibaitis headed in a corner three minutes from time to seal the victory.

Early attempts
In sodden conditions at the S. Darius & S. Girenas Stadium, both sides had early opportunities but it was the Scottish runners-up who took the lead after 33 minutes. Thomson took Nacho Novo's astute pass in his stride before placing through Marian Kello's legs. The home side responded two minutes before half-time, captain Radzius hammering in a 25-metre free-kick that beat McGregor for pace.

Late winner
Kaunas upped the tempo after the break and Marius Cinikas hit the bar after making space for himself on the edge of the area. Several promising situations were then wasted by the hosts and it looked like they would pay when former striker Andrius Velička was presented with a superb chance for Rangers but he blazed over. Then, with time ticking away, a Rafael Rodrigues Ledesma corner was met by Pilibaitis whose downward header squeezed over the goalline to earn a tie against FK Modriča or Aalborg BK.